Springer needs to run full speed before rehab

By Brian McTaggart / MLB.com

HOUSTON -- The only thing that's holding Astros rookie outfielder George Springer back in his rehab from a quad injury that has caused him to miss 12 games is being able to run. Of course, running is a huge part of Springer's game, so the Astros are being cautious.

Springer took batting practice on the field for the fourth day in a row on Friday and has been shagging balls in the outfield. But until he can run at full speed without any issues, Springer is not going to be sent on a Minor League rehab assignment.

"That's my goal," Springer said. "I've been doing stuff slowly every day, and it's kind of built up. You have to start small."

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow wasn't sure if Springer would travel with the team to Philadelphia next week or stay behind and rehab in Houston, or whether Springer was ready for a rehab assignment.

"He can hit, he can throw, and we're not concerned about that," Luhnow said. "It's a matter of whether or not his quad is going to act up when he runs full speed. It's about getting him comfortable when he runs full speed and stopping and starting, and make sure he's OK with that."

Manager Bo Porter said before Friday's game against the Blue Jays that Springer probably could have played through the leg injury.

"But at the same time, getting the rest we were able to get him and the extra treatment, it's going to allow him to come back and play at full strength the rest of the season," Porter said.

Marisnick aims to be regular in Astros' lineup

HOUSTON -- Jake Marisnick's limited track record in the Major Leagues has to yet to yield the same kind of results he enjoyed in the Minors, but the Astros are going to give him every chance to prove he's an everyday player in the big leagues.

Marisnick, acquired by the Astros from the Marlins in a six-player trade on Thursday, joined his new teammates on Friday and was immediately plugged into the lineup in center field against the Blue Jays. Ultimately, he'll probably play left field when George Springer and Dexter Fowler get healthy.

"I'm excited and ready for the opportunity, and I can't wait to get out there," said Marisnick, who is wearing No. 6.

Marisnick played in only 54 career games with the Marlins, hitting .178 with one homer, five RBIs and eight steals. He's a career .279 hitter in the Minors, including .277 with 10 homers, 24 steals and 40 RBIs this year at Triple-A New Orleans.

"I need to keep doing what I've been doing throughout my career," he said. "I've made adjustments, and once I've adjusted, I've been able to do my thing, and I feel like I'm ready to go."

Marisnick, whose 6-foot-4 frame bursts with athleticism, should have no trouble covering a lot of ground in the outfield or creating havoc on the bases. Marisnick has overcome some injuries, too, getting hit by a pitch on his left hand and missing all of Spring Training and the first month of the 2013 season, and then tearing the meniscus in his knee late last year.

Astros first-base coach Tarrick Brock, who works with the team's outfielders, was familiar with Marisnick from Brock's time as a coach in the Marlins' system.

"It's a big, tall guy who's very athletic," Brock said. "The biggest thing when I was over there was his maturation process as a hitter. He has the tools that play here. With the outfield they had [in Florida], it was pretty hard to break in over there. He's a guy you just can't have on the bench, either. This will be a good opportunity for him to come here and play, and show what he can do at the Major League level."

Guzman makes early exit with back spasms

HOUSTON -- Astros veteran Jesus Guzman left Friday's 3-1 win over the Blue Jays after four innings with back spasms. There was no immediate indication of how long he'll be out.

Guzman, who rarely plays, started at first base and was 1-for-2, including a game-tying RBI single in the fourth. He was removed from the game shortly after and replaced by Jon Singleton, who normally starts at first but was sitting out against a lefty.

"His back just tightened up on him," manager Bo Porter said. "It's a back spasm. It's something that happened in the flow of the game and at that point there was nothing we could do. WE had to go ahead and get him out because he could barely move, so the trainers are going to look at him at have him evaluated. We'll have more information tomorrow."

Guzman is hitting .200 with two homers and eight RBIs in 60 at-bats. Friday was his 36th start of the season.

The Astros have been hit hard by injuries of latel and have several key players, including outfielders Dexter Fowler (intercostal), George Springer (quad) and Alex Presley (oblique) on the disabled list. Reliever Josh Zeid is set to have season-ending foot surgery.